Pilgrimage to nation’s capital to include visits to holy sites

Criterion staff report

Though many visitors to the nation’s capital enjoy viewing the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and other tourist attractions, there is a strong Catholic presence there, too.

From the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center to the Basilica of the National Shine of the Immaculate Conception, from St. Matthew Cathedral to The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., is the home to many Catholic attractions.

With that in mind, an archdiocesan pilgrimage to the District of Columbia and Virginia on May 10-14 will focus on tours of important Catholic sites and include visits to a number of historic monuments as well as museums.

Father John Beitans, the pastor of St. Lawrence Parish in Indianapolis, will serve as the spiritual director for the pilgrimage at the request of Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein.

As the archdiocese’s director of activities for the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, also known as “America’s Catholic Church,” Father Beitans enjoys showing visitors the fascinating places to go and amazing things to do in the nation’s capital. He is looking forward to leading the pilgrimage.

Archdiocesan pilgrims will celebrate a eucharistic liturgy, he said, then tour the national shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Pilgrims will also visit the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center and St. Matthew Cathedral.

The pilgrimage is a wonderful way to observe the Year for Priests, Father Beitans recently said, because many archdiocesan seminarians and priests have studied theology at The Catholic University of America adjacent to the national shrine.

The huge National Mall downtown is home to historic and educational sites that range from the U.S. Capitol, Supreme Court building and Smithsonian Museums, and to beautiful monuments built to honor several presidents and memorials that commemorate the sacrifices of veterans during five wars.

Carolyn Noone, associate director of special events for the archdiocese, said the pilgrims will also visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery just across the Potomac River in Virginia.

A Washington tour guide will join the pilgrims for an afternoon of sightseeing on the National Mall, she said, and the group will enjoy an evening meal at the famous Gadsby’s Tavern, a historic restaurant which was visited by presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

(The May 10-14 pilgrimage includes deluxe motor coach transportation, deluxe hotel accommodations for four nights, five continental breakfasts, one lunch, three dinners, admission fees and a guided tour. The cost is $839 per person for single occupancy hotel rooms, $639 per person for double occupancy rooms and $589 per person for triple occupancy rooms. For more information or to register, call Carolyn Noone at 317-236-1428 or 800-382-9836, ext. 1428, or send an e-mail to cnoone@archindy.org. The pilgrimage itinerary and registration form are posted online at www.archindy.org pilgrimage/shrine2010.html.) †